The palladium-catalyzed Heck olefination described in this publication represents a simple,
high-yielding synthesis of functionalized vinyl arenes, heteroarenes, and 1, 3-dienes from
the plethora of available carboxylic acids via their nitrophenol esters. The nitrophenol esters
are conveniently accessible from carboxylic acids and nitrophenol chloroformate. The
alternative possibility of generating them directly from carboxylic acids and nitrophenol
allows a low-waste reaction protocol for Heck olefinations.